Driving home, Eleanor''s phone rang. It was Joy.


    "Somehow, the news broke-now every outlet online is sharing your divorce, and there''s a ton of spection flying around!"


    Eleanor gave a calm littleugh. "It was bound toe out sooner orter."


    "At least the media hasn''t mentioned anything about the asset split. I guess they haven''t gotten hold of the details yet."


    Joy tried to reassure her. "Don''t worry, give it three days and the buzz will die down. It won''t have any real impact on your life.”


    Eleanor agreed. She never expected it would.


    Later, when she pulled up to the school to pick up her daughter, she noticed Xavier''s car already parked out front. As Eleanor got out, he stepped from his vehicle as well.


    "Mr. Vaughn," she greeted him with a polite nod.


    He narrowed his eyes. "So, the inte says you two are already handling the paperwork?"


    Eleanor nodded. “That''s right, everything''s been filed. Once the mandatory waiting period is over, it''ll be official."


    Xavier blinked. "If you need any help, you know you can ask me."


    She hesitated, then realized she actually could use some advice. "Mr. Vaughn, do you happen to know any reliable executive managers? I''ve got a fewpanies I need to take over, but I''ll need someone experienced to help manage them."


    He frowned slightly. "Whichpanies?"


    Eleanor pulled out her phone and showed him the profiles of eight different businesses. After studying them, Xavier''s expression grew serious. "I do know just the person for the job."


    "That would be wonderful, thank you. I really have no clue about corporate management-I''ll need trustworthy hands."


    Xavier looked at her, curiosity piqued. "Ian split all eightpanies to you?"


    She nodded. "Yes."


    He considered this for a moment. "Are you free anytime soon? I''d like to introduce you to a manager I trust."


    "I''m free Friday," Eleanor replied quickly.


    After picking up her daughter, Vivian begged toe over for dinner, and Eleanor happily agreed.


    "I love Ms. Sutton''s sweet and sour ribs the most!" Vivian said, eyes sparkling.


    "I love them too!" Evelyn Goodwin chimed in, grinning.


    Eleanor smiled. "All right, sweet and sour ribs it is for dinner tonight."


    Xavier watched the lively scene, a faint smile at the corners of his mouth.


    ...


    Meanwhile, at a café across town, Serena met with Vanessa. When Vanessa learned that Eleanor had received eightpanies in the divorce, she couldn''t help but feel a pang of jealousy.


    Even ifn wanted to offerpensation, wasn''t this a little over the top? Eightpanies worth a fortune-Vanessa could hardly believe it.


    "This is ridiculous! I went to confront her today, but my brother stopped me," Serena fumed, practically shaking with anger.


    "Serena, don''t get involved. Let your brother handle it," Vanessa cautioned, not wanting her to meddle. Ifn made such a decision, he must have had his


    reasons.


    She just couldn''t figure out what those reasons were.


    “I known''s a business genius, and making that kind of money is nothing for him.


    But I just can''t swallow this," Serena muttered through clenched teeth.


    "At least they''re divorced," Vanessa said, taking a careful sip of her coffee.


    Serena smirked. "If my brother''s willing to divorce her, it only means one thing—


    he never really loved Eleanor. For him, this is just freedom."


    They chatted a bit longer, until Serena took a call and excused herself. She had someone to meet.


    She''d promisedn and Vanessa she wouldn''t make trouble for Eleanor, but that didn''t mean she''d just let her off the hook.


    If Eleanor was going to be that greedy, then Serena was determined to make her pay.